With a goal of giving back to those who give their all, planning is underway for the 100 Club of Southeast Texas Charity Golf Tournament.
Held annually on Columbus Day, tournament organizer Zack Shelton is rounding up the regulars and welcoming additional sponsors and 100 Club members alike. This year's tournament is Monday, Oct. 9.
Last year, dozens of teams teed off at Beaumont Country Club in support of the 100 Club’s mission to provide financial relief to families whose loved ones lost their lives in the line of duty within Jefferson, Orange, and Hardin Counties, raising over $116,000.
Following the 1988 shooting death of Beaumont Police Officer Paul Hulsey Jr, a group of area businessmen and private citizens banded together to provide relief to the wife and young daughters he left behind.
Hulsey’s death and the imminent financial hardship his grieving widow would soon face served as the catalyst for the group’s initial efforts. Led by Wayne Reaud, the club’s first board chairman, the formation of the 100 Club of Jefferson County was announced on May 26, 1988, and since its inception, the organization has continued its efforts in support of the families of fallen peace officers and firefighters.
More recently, the organization has begun offering emergency financial assistance to those injured on the job through the survivor fund.
“We want to make sure they are still able to make ends meet while they are recovering. A couple of weeks ago a deputy in Hardin County lost everything he had in a housefire, and the 100 Club was able to assist his family through the survivor fund,” said Shelton.
A retired FBI agent, the cause is very near to Shelton’s heart, as he recounts his time as an agent and losing friends and fellow agents in the line of duty. “The 100 Club of Southeast Texas wants to make sure that these men and women protecting our communities are supported, and our golf tournament helps us do just that.”
Last year’s sponsors include Commissioner-level sponsors Penland Foundation and Gulfspan Industrial, LLC; Chief-level sponsors YMBL and John Duplissey; Captain-level sponsors Del Papa Distributing Co, Biomedical Waste Solutions, Steel Painters, Inc, and Skyland Interests, LLC; Sergeant-level sponsors Donalson Auto, Triangle Concrete Services, Dickerson Advisory Group, Beaumont Restaurant Group, Gulf Coast Electric Company, Clearstream Wastewater Systems, Golden Pass LNG, Universal Coin, Echo Group, RP Employer Solutions, Ko Korean Grill, Renegade Industrial Supply, Giglio Distributing, J. Mark & Associates, and the Lester D. Henderson Foundation; Beverage Cart Sponsors All Industries and Ferguson Law Firm; and Lewis Law Firm, Coastal Welding Supply, Gentile Construction, Earl White, Keith Giblin, Taryn and Henry Hebert, and Jeff Branick.
Individuals or businesses interested in sponsoring and participating in the tournament may contact Shelton by phone at (409) 790-2104. All proceeds benefit the 100 Club of Southeast Texas.